Gymnastic apparatus.



A. G. & M. J. MARRIOTT.

GYMNASTIG APPARATUS.' APPLICATION TILED MAR. 31 1914.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0 PfiDTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, 0. c.

A. G. & M. J. MARRIOTT.

GYMNASTIG APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR.31, 1914.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

H 2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT onmcn ALBERT GEORGE MARRIQTT Ann MERNERD JOHN MARRIOTT, or anemia, oNTARIo, CANADA.

GYMNASTIG APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1914.

Application filed March 31, 1914. Serial No. 828,483.

ToaZZ whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALBERT G. MARRIOTT and MERNERD J. MARRIOTT, subjects of Great Britain, residing at Guelph, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gymnastic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention contemplates means or apparatus for the performance, in a theater, clrcus, or arena, of aerial gymnastic or acrobatic feats of novel,.sensational, and startling character.

Generally stated, the invention embodies a revoluble superstructure, which constitutes a main support or platform on which or from which gymnastic or acrobatic feats may be performed, and equipped with another revoluble element adapted for the support and carriage of one or more gymnasts.

More specificallystated, the invention embodies an elevated revoluble superstructure, which simulates an aeroplane, equipped with a propeller-like rotor adapted and arranged to carry a gymnast and to be given a whirling motion in a direction at substantially a right angle to the planes, and whereof the planesare adapted and arranged to support or carry various quickly detachable gymnastic accessories, such as trapeze, rings, suspension devices, and other adjuncts.

The nature, characteristic features and scope of the invention will more readily be understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of gymnastic apparatus embodying features of our invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view with the curtain and other paraphernalia removed to expose the gearing or operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail of the trigger-release mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 indicates a drum-like support or table sustained in elevated position by standards 2 braced and secured in any suitable manner. The drum or table 1 is provided with a roller path 3, which constitutes an anti-frictional support for a second drum 4 on which is mounted the superstructure. The drum 4 is designed to be rotated in either direction and any suitable means or power may be employed for this purpose, but for the sake of illustration we show a gear wheel 5 fast on the drum and centered by a shaft 6, suitably mounted, said gear wheel meshing with a pinion 7 fast on a crank or drive shaft 8.

The superstructure, which in the present embodiment takes the form of a flying-machine or aeroplane, is generally indicated by the numeral 9. lts light frame-work for the planes and other structural elements is principally sustained by a heavy transverse bar 10 secured as by standards 11 to the revoluble drum 4.

12 and 13 are cross-pieces on the drum 4 for supporting and bracing other elements of the superstructure. For example, the crosspiece 12 may have a mast or upright 14 equipped with brackets 15 and 16 on which may be mounted a siren 17 and search light 18. The rods 19 carry the after part of the aeroplane, and the guy ropes or wires 20 tend to steady the cross plane 21.

In order to further enhance the appearance of an aeroplane and also to meet the demands of the public for feats of startling nature, we provide a rotor 22. This may have any form adapted for the support and carriage of one or more players or gymnasts. The device illustrated consists of a hub 23 having radial open frames 24 and 25. The frame 24'is longer than the other frame so that it acts as a counterbalance. Frame 24 accommodates the lower extremities and has stirrups or foot-straps 26, and frame 25 is made large enough to admit the head. The hub of the rotor is secured to a shaft 27, which is adapted and arranged to rotate in a plane at substantially a right angle to the axis of rotation of the superstructure. The rotor shaft is journaled in suitable bearings 28 supported by the cross-piece 13, and it may be driven in any suitable manner, for example by the bicycle gearing illustrated, wherein 29 indicates the operators seat or saddle and its complemental frame, and 30 indicates a crank-shaft operated by pedals 31 and having gears 32, 32 either of which may be caused in the well-known manner to mesh with a gear 33 on the shaft 27 so as to drive the latter in one or the other direction.

The superstructure is equipped with'various suspension devices or apparatus for use in the performance of gymnastic or acrobatic feats, for example, a trapeze 34, a strap 35 for suspension by the teeth, and

means for supporting and quickly releasing. some part of the apparatus,v for example a bicycle" in such" to" give the pression of an accident. This is provided for asfolloWs: At one end of the bar-or; beam 10, there are tWo straps 36 and 87 Whereofthe former is adapted and arranged; to sup-perm" bicycle and rider and whereof the strap 37 is a safetyelenientand is in: tended to be secured to the rider. Strap 36 is si'ispend'e'd from a hook 38 liaviiig a pitotallpart '39, which is nor'rnally upl-ieliil by a springpressed lll lggel 40. A card" 41 hair ing-"one' end attached tOtlie tri-gg'g'e'i and the other end passed over a pulley 4:2 and then'=- down within easy reach oi therider; serves to! releas-e the 1 trigger at" the climax of the act permit thefall of the bicycle:

An elaborate' shield oreurtain -43e'ri-liances the ornamentah appearance of the apparatus and also conceals the support orpedestal andrlikewise the op erating mechanisim Manifestly all of the partsareseparalolh or quickly detachable so that" the structure may be assembled or" dismantled with ease and facility.

Havingdescribe'd the nature" and objeot'si icombinationof structureequipped with: :m'e'ans 'for the performance 05 gymnastic of tlle invention' what we claim as new" and desire to secure by LettersPatent is 1 Apparatus of the character deseribed'; embodying a support," an aeroplane strut) ture mounted for rotation thereon and equipped with-means for the performanhe of'g mnastic feats ineludinga rotor adapt"- ed for thesupportand carriage of gym"-- nastg mean's for"rotatingmhe-aeroplane strum time; and inuependent driving meansfortherotor. p

- 2. 'Ap aratus' of the shaman-"stated; em bodying a sup o're and aeroplane stru'cg tare mounted for rotation thereon and} equipped with aerial suspension apparatus .and with a laterally projecting rotor capable of rotation in a direction at suhstan tiallfy angle to" the" aXis of rotation of the aeroplane, said rotor consisting of i mdependenuly' of equipped With for the; erformance otgymnastic' feats and capable of rot'ation 01 1 31? vertical: aXi's;-; means for rotating it; a

and having a shaft projeeting laterally beyon'd the: latter; a huh'on saidshaft gequipped with: radial: operr frames adapted" ;and arranged to support a gymn st.

la-In: awn-aerial gymnas'uempparatus; the combination of an aeroplane struetuie motor carried said aeroplane structure 5.- I an: aerial ymnastic appax-atria,-v the l featsxa'ntr capableof rotation- 011a vertioal axis; means" for" rotating; it,. anauxiliary ymnastic' device= consisting: of a balanced rotor carried: by said structure, and means fhr driving the rotor at at speed excess of that of the structure? testimony whereof iwe afiix our signatunesiri'presenceoftwo witnessesi V 'ALBERI" GEORGE MARRIOTT- ME RNE'RD JOHN MARRIOTT; Wit-masses? .p i r J. D: Yon'nnnh," Jes. RICHlVIbND;

greatly in I 65 m al tiiir athm mayte attained 61- m cents each; by: addr'essiir tile-commenter maritime- 

